Player of the Year: James Boyd (Sr, L.A. Jordan) – It’s rare to see somebody dominant in the City from the quarterback position where running is king. It’s even more rare when said player is a dominating defensive end and the City’s best defensive lineman last year. That’s what makes Boyd so special as a two-way threat.

His stats on the year – a state-leading 4,266 passing yards, 44 touchdowns to go with 104 tackles, eight sacks and two fumble recoveries. He ends his career ranked among the top five passers in City Section history in terms of yardage and touchdowns.

More than stats, Boyd took pride in being a leader and an exceptional teammate. Perhaps his defining moment comes in defeat, either passing for a state record 73 times against Mater Dei or giving his team a memorable pep talk after losing to Crenshaw in the playoffs.

Either way, Boyd was a player that defined class and heart and USC will be fortunate to have him the over the next few years.

Coach of the Year: Elijah Asante, L.A. Jordan.- If you never saw the Bulldogs play this year before the postseason, you missed an amazing sight.

With a roster of 26 players, Asante had his team on the verge of upsetting Orange County powers Esperanza and Mater Dei and willed their way to a 7-5 record and the school’s first ever upper-division playoff victory.

Offensive Player of the Year: DJ Morgan, Taft - The City’s fastest tailback was it’s best as the junior had 2,424 all-purpose yards and 33 TD’s. A threat behind center or catching the ball out of the backfield, he’s already committed to USC and is an early favorite for City Section Player of the Year in 2009.

Defensive Player of the Year: Alonzo Lefridge, San Pedro - This was a hard choice but when in doubt, go with somebody on the City’s best defense and you can’t go wrong with Lefridge. The senior had 16 sacks – more than a quarter of his tackles – and forced a fumble in the City title game that keyed the Pirates’ comeback.

All-Sentinel Offense:

Josh Moten, Narbonne (Sr – QB) – While leading the Gauchos to a co-City title, the Washington-bound Moten threw for 2,356 passing yards, 26 TD’s and 7 INT’s with 68.2% accuracy in their efficient spread offense.

Carl Winston, Serra (Sr – RB) - Nicknamed “Truck,” Winston barreled his way for 1,630 yards and 21 TD’s while leading the Cavaliers to their first CIF final since 2002.

Shaquelle Evans, Inglewood (Sr – WR) - A big play threat for the Sentinels, the 6″1, Notre-Dame bound Evans will be rewarded with a trip to the Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 2.

Morrell Presley, Carson (Sr -TE) - He missed some games with a wrist injury but the now UCLA-bound Presley still racked up 35 catches, 604 yards and five TD’s for the Colts.

Xavier McFrasier, Locke (Sr – OL); Nicholas Alexander, Crenshaw (Sr. – OL); Trevize Strickland, Dorsey (Sr. – OL); Justin Jackson, Narbonne (Sr. – OL) – As I did last year, I honor the offensive linemen together for their work in the trenches because they make their offensive backfield shine.

McFrasier anchored a strong Locke offensive line that made every defense work against them, the Boise State-bound Alexander anchored one of the City’s fastest defenses, Strickland was a bright spot for the Dons and Jackson made sure the Gauchos’ spread offense remained efficient

Robert Woods, Serra (Jr – All-Purpose) – One of the best juniors in the state, if not the country, he has the unique combination of speed, athleticism and high football IQ. Finished the year with 81 catches, 1,378 yards, 19 TDs, not counting his several punt returns for TD’s

DeShawn Beck, Jordan (Jr – All Purpose) - Beck was a deep threat for the Bulldogs at WR (1,141 yards, 15 TD) but also scored via rushing (twice), passing (three times) and on an interception (once) this year.

All-Sentinel Defense:

Eric Hunter, Jordan (Sr – DB) - A repeat All-Sentinel selection, he led an excellent secondary (2 INT’s, 2 fumble recoveries) and ends his career with another All-City selection.

Chris Metcalf, Compton (Sr – DB) - The USC-bound safety was an imposing threat all season for the few teams that dared pass his way.

Byron Moore, Jr., Narbonne (Sr. – DB) - Headed to USC next year and the Army All-American Bowl on Jan. 2, this big-play threat breaks to the ball better than almost anyone in the region (3 INT’s)

Sean Parker, Narbonne (Jr. – DB) – When he picks off the QB, be surprised when he doesn’t take it to the house as he returned three of his four INT’s for TD’s.

Justin Brown, Compton (Sr – DL) - Had four sacks, an interception and led the Tarbabes with 69 tackles.

James Brock, Crenshaw (So – DL) - His coming out party came with four sacks against Jordan in the City playoffs. Look for even bigger things next year.

Dawan Marzett, Westchester (Sr – LB) - Although the Comets had a rough season, Marzett (146 tackles, 14 sacks) had a fine season worthy of his All-City selection.

Patrick Wooten, Jordan (Fr. – LB) - One of two starting freshmen on the Bulldogs roster, all he did was lead the City in tackles (150) and become the only rookie on the All-City team.

Hayes Pullard, Crenshaw (Jr -LB) - A two-time All-City first team selection, this hard-hitting Cougar will be one of the top linebacking prospects in Southern California, if not the West Coast, next year.